Making Spirits Bright

About the Artist
Founded in 1948, the Phoenix Boys Choir has been thrilling audiences with the incomparable sound of boys' voices for over 40 years. The 170 boys and men in five choirs maintain a rigorous recording and performing schedule at home and on tour abroad. After 40 years under the baton of Dr. Harvey K. Smith, the choir is now led by Georg Stangelberger, most recently Deputy Artistic Director of the Vienna Choir Boys.

Product Description
Ever-popular, light-hearted holiday hits accompanied by the Palo Verde Brass and recorded in the magnificent acoustic of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Phoenix.

Making Spirits Bright,Phoenix Boys Choir

Average customer rating: More Diana Christmas tracks--a perfect complement to "A very Special Season" CD Lovely and Relaxing

Making Spirits Bright Manufacturer: Hallmark Cards ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items: Very Special Season It's Christmas Reflections: The Definitive Performances 1964-1969 Take Me Higher Diana Ross: Going Back ASIN: B0002KN61S

Product Description

1 - Sleigh ride/Jingle bells 2 - The twelve days of Christmas 3 - Provencaliana (Based on "March of the Kings") 4 - The first Noel 5 - Precious joy (Based on "Jesu, joy of man's desiring) 6 - It's Christmas time 7 - Go, tell it on the mountain 8 - God rest ye merry gentlemen (England's carol) 9 - O little town of Bethlehem 10 - What child is this? 11 - I heard the bells 12 - We wish you a Merry Christmas

Customer Reviews:

More Diana Christmas tracks--a perfect complement to "A very Special Season" CD.......2006-12-16

This CD, originally a Hallmark store special offering, features Diana on 6 tracks: sleigh ride/jingle bells medley, the first noel, it's Christmas time, go tell it on the mountain, o little town of Bethlehem, and I heard the bells. The best part about this is that none of these songs is covered on her own "A Very Special Season" CD. So combine both CDs, and you haveTWENTY Christmas songs recorded by Diana in 1994!

Lovely and Relaxing.......2005-11-22

Diana Ross shines brighter than the Christmas tree on this one. The CD is a combination of Miss Ross' vocals and lush orchestration by The London Symphony Quartet, Modern Jazz Quartet & the Kings Singers. Best track: "It's Christmas Time."
Originally a Hallmark premium, well worth the reissue.

Average customer rating: Christmas Jazz It Certainly is Pleasant Enough Wonderful addition to your music collection!

Making Spirits Bright: A Smooth Jazz Christmas Various Artists Manufacturer: Grp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Smooth Jazz Christmas Boney's Funky Christmas Remembering Christmas Songs of the Season Smooth Jazz Christmas ASIN: B00005NY71 Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Lee Ritenour
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Will Downing
3. The Christmas Song - Joyce Cooling
4. This Christmas - Gerald Albright
5. Silent Night - Al Jarreau
6. What Child Is This? - Marc Antoine
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Richard Elliot
8. Jingle Bells - Diana Krall
9. The First Noel - David Benoit
10. Here Comes Santa Claus - Jeff Golub
11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Joe Sample
12. Suite De Nuestra Navidad: La Anunciacion/La Peregrinacion - Dave Grusin

Amazon.com

The first six tracks of this release could've been subtitled "A Twist of Christmas," for they bear the indelible stamp of guitarist-producer Lee Ritenour and his A Twist of Marley. In fact, his Brazilian take on "Silent Night," with singer Al Jarreau, sounds like an arrangement worked straight out of Ritenour's A Twist of Jobim sessions. Even with guitarists Joyce Cooling and Marc Antoine, his presence is noticeable.

The other half of the album finds most of the artists doing their own thing, the best of which is the funky groove saxophonist Richard Elliot and keyboardist and co-arranger Jeff Lorber lay over "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Like a few of the other tunes however, the production suffers from the frightening trend of producers and/or record companies fading tracks prematurely in an obvious effort to appease smooth-jazz radio. It should be noted that the Diana Krall track was previously released on a holiday EP three years ago. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Jazz.......2007-01-14

We have always enjoyed the GRP Christmas recordings and were equally pleased with this work. The contemporary artists featured are able to combined the essence of the music style with the traditional quality of the holiday season.

It Certainly is Pleasant Enough.......2001-12-12

I agree with the editorial that a few of the tracks of this release indeed should be subtitled "A Twist of Christmas," because they are straight out of the Lee Ritenour and his "A Twist of" Series mold. In fact, the cuts "Silent Night," with Al Jarreau, and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" featuring Will Downing (who manages to sound bored out of his mind here) are just a couple of tunes that sound like outtakes from the aforementioned sessions.

Joyce Cooling's rendition of "The Christmas Song" is quite unique however, as are some of the other cuts including Richard Elliot's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

Since this is a "Smooth Jazz" CD, the cuts are short and to the point (read: radio friendly?) although I don't think you'll be hearing the very jazzy Joe Sample version of "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", David Benoit's "The First Noel" anytime soon or, for that matter, Dave Grusin's out of place "Suite de Nuestra Navidad". Now that I think about it, this disc at times tries too hard to have a Latin flavor.

Overall, this disc leaves you saying "it certainly is pleasant enough", because you realize that you have heard better Jazz Christmas CDs.

Happy Holidays to all....

Wonderful addition to your music collection!.......2001-12-01

I was unaware of this disc until I read about it in the December issue of Ebony magazine. It is so soothing and relaxing and a great way to experience the talents of artists such as: Lee Rittenour, Al Jarreau, Wil Downing and Joe Sample. Great music to bake and trim the tree by.

Average customer rating:

Making Spirits Bright ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004WZTB Release Date: 1997-12-01

Tracks:

1. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Pola & Wylie, arr. Ades
2. The Wassail Song - Traditional
3. O Come, All Ye Faithful from "Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 1" - Oakly, arr. Shaw/Parker
4. Go Tell It On the Mountain - arr. Simeone
5. Johnny Bring the Pine Tree In - Aks, arr. Abbey
6. Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod
7. Carol of the Bells - Leontovich, arr. Wilhousky
8. Ding Dong! Merrily on High - arr. Willcocks/Rutter
9. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing - Mendelssohn, arr. Willcocks
10. A Christmas Hymn (Echo Carol) - Traditional
11. Silent Night - Mohr
12. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Martin & Blane, arr. Kerr
13. Jingle Bells - arr. Sterling
14. We Three Kings - arr. Miller
15. Take a Closer Look - Martin
16. Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah & Chanukah, Joyous Feast of Lights - Sargon
17. A Feast of Lights - Silver
18. The Twelve Days of Christmas - arr. Rutter

Album Description

Ever-popular, light-hearted holiday hits accompanied by the Palo Verde Brass and recorded in the magnificent acoustic of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Phoenix.

Average customer rating: Smooth Once again Dean Martin gives us the best! Cool Christmas "I wait for it the whole year 'round..." Tinsel Town Christmas with Dino

Making Spirits Bright Dean Martin Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: The Andy Williams Christmas Album Christmas With Dino Christmas with the Rat Pack Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection White Christmas ASIN: B000009RV8 Release Date: 1998-09-22

Tracks:

1. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas
3. Silver Bells
4. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Baby, It's Cold Outside
7. Blue Christmas
8. Jingle Bells
9. A Winter Romance
10. A Marshmallow World
11. The Christmas Blues
12. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
13. Silent Night
14. White Christmas
15. Untitled

Customer Reviews:

Smooth.......2006-05-17

If there is one word that describes Dean Martin's singing style, it would be "smooth." This wonderful album contains fifteen Christmas songs, all given that great Dean Martin sound. Most of the tunes are upbeat, such as Let It Snow, Jingle Bells, and A Marshmallow World, but there are some more mellow ones, like Blue Christmas, I'll Be Home For Christmas and The Christmas Blues.

(The fifteenth track on my CD is Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! But, it is a different version than track one.)

Overall, I think that this is great Christmas album, one that sounds excellent when the lights are turned off and the Christmas tree provides all of the light. If you want a great Christmas CD, then this is the one to get. I give it my highest recommendations!

Once again Dean Martin gives us the best!.......2005-12-06

As a longtime Dean Martin fan, I have had this CD and Seasons' Greetings for a few years and everytime I listen to Making Spirits Bright I get chills. That man could sing with such an ease and charm you do not get today. His witty way of having fun with a tune as in Jingle Bells, his voice in I'll be Home For Christmas and Blue Christmas make me want to cry for Christmases past that were missed. His Rendition of White Christmas is right next Bing Crosby and his Silent Night can make you picture yourself in an old beautiful church decorated for the season listening. It was 10 years ago this Christmas Dean Martin left this earth, but he left us a totally lastly legacy.

Cool Christmas.......2003-03-06

Dean may be gone, but he's still the coolest thing around. This is the music of Christmas. Of my 50 or so Christmas albums, this is the one I played over and over and over. Buy it...Dean won't let you down.

"I wait for it the whole year 'round...".......2003-01-01

Lovely collection of Christmas music. I especially enjoy the songs we don't hear over and over on typical Christmas albums, such as "Marshmellow World" and "Winter Romance." In my ever-growing collection of holiday music, this is one that gets played over and over again. Pity Christmas comes only once a year.

Tinsel Town Christmas with Dino.......2002-12-16

This compendium from Martin's Capitol and Reprise years provides Christmas cheer aplenty. Dean does Elvis proud with his version of I'll Be Home For Christmas, gives Bing plenty of competition on White Christmas and scores on Blue Christmas as well. There are no misses on this cd.

Dean was given choice material on both his Capitol and Reprise Christmas albums so this cd is not burdened with some of the insipid junk that Dean was forced to perform during his recording career (especially at Capitol).

Two of Deans least known but best numbers are a treat to hear again. Winter Romance and Christmas Blues. The former will have you imagining yourself sipping eggnog around a roaring fire with that special "someone", while the latter captures the forlorn feeling of a breakup during the holiday season.

Turn on this cd, start the fire and trim the tree!

Average customer rating:

Making Spirits Bright Trail Band Manufacturer: Trails End Prod. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Christmas With The Trail Band - Live In Concert An Old Fashioned Christmas ASIN: B00005TNEC Release Date: 2001-11-27

Average customer rating:

Making Spirits Bright ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000CSAJ24

Product Description

Tracks: It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year/island Santa/White Christmas/the Christmas Song/Lullaby/Giving/Snow/Wishbook/You're all I Want for Christmas/I'm Beginning to See the Light/Boogie Woogie Santa Claus/What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?/Song for a Winter's Night/My Buddy/You Go to My Head/My Christmas Song for You.

International Music:

1. Maxime Le Forestier [Original recording remastered] [Import]
2. Mike Brant [Original recording remastered] [Import]
3. Mort Shuman [Original recording remastered] [Import]
4. Moscow Parties [Import]
5. Movie Shoot [Import]
6. Music Without Boundaries
7. Newgrange
8. Nine Sounds Nice Noise
9. No Ordinary Morning [CD-single] [Import]
10. Nuestro Juramento

International Music

International Music